Houston, Texas (April 2008) �  Saturday, April 26 the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) named WHR Architects, Inc. (WHR) as Firm of the Year 2008. In announcing the honor the AIA recognized the firm for:
Commitment to all employees
Excellence in research initiatives
Active participation in the greater Houston community
National prominence in the practice of healthcare architecture
Advancement of the architectural profession through service, leadership, and mentorship

Founded in 1979, the firm quickly earned a reputation for its work in healthcare. Adhering to its mission � �to contribute to the creation of an enduring body of architecture which enriches the human experience� � WHR approaches its work with integrity, enthusiasm, and a sense of responsibility to clients, staff, the profession, and community. WHR lives its official tagline: �Architecture with people in mind.�

A full service architecture, interior design, and technology-planning firm, WHR focuses on healthcare, education, science and technology. The firm�s commitment to critical thinking is balanced by an empathy that results in both improved project outcomes and positive working experiences. Research and evaluation, participatory process, and applied innovation are the hallmarks of WHR�s work. The knowledge-driven process used by the firm, often referred to as �evidence-based design,� engages clients, academicians, as well as project architects in the search for optimum results.

Twelve Senior Principals and eighteen Principals lead over 150 people in WHR�s Houston and Dallas offices on projects around the world. With 26 LEED� Accredited Professionals on staff, WHR embraces sustainability through a firm-wide commitment to sustainable facility design and environmental awareness. Socially responsible, WHR underwrites more than $165,000 of philanthropic efforts annually and dedicates one percent of working time of each staff member to pro-bono work.

At The Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center campus in the world, WHR has worked with virtually every one of its member institutions, designing buildings totaling more than 9.5 million square feet. Clients include The Methodist Hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospital, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M; University, Prairie View A&M; University, St. Luke�s Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children�s Hospital, The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research and Shriner�s Hospital.

WHR has won local and national design honors including IIDA, ASID, Press Gainey Compass awards and AGC Apex Awards. In 2002 and 2007 WHR won the IIDA Texas/Oklahoma Pinnacle Award for Large Firm of the Year, and in 2007 the firm was named to PSMJ�s Circle of Excellence and Texas Monthly�s �60 Best Companies to Work for in Texas�.



For more information on WHR Architects, visit www.whrarchitects.com. 

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